A project to develop more sustainable composite parts has won a major industry award, and could help to deliver decarbonisation at scale.
Derby-based Composite Braiding scooped the ‘Sustainability Award | Net-Zero’ from Composites UK at an awards dinner in Birmingham on 2 November. The firm won for developing a lower carbon manufacturing process for structural composites, which also enables higher production volumes and lower costs. The initiative was part funded by an Innovate UK loan.
It's the second Composites UK award in as many years for Composite Braiding, who last year won the 'Innovation in Composite Materials' category.
Managing director, Steve Barbour commented: “We’re thrilled to have won another prestigious Composites UK award this year for our work to decarbonise composite manufacturing processes. It just goes to show what small companies can do, when you have an innovative team and funding behind you.”
The new manufacturing process reduces energy consumption by up to 99%, compared to traditional processes, and uses tooling that is 50% lighter. The process even reduces consumable waste.
On top of the decarbonisation benefits, the innovation means the firm can produce composite parts in minutes instead of hours, enabling them to increase volumes and reduce costs.
“This is a game-changing capability,” explained Barbour. “If this process is adopted by multiple users, which is our aim, it will help deliver decarbonisation at scale. We are already talking to third parties about broadening the awareness and availability of our capabilities to multiple sectors.”
